Inkjet & Digital Printing
Zebra Technologies Launches Its Technology Partner Program to Deliver Unique Printing Application Solutions to Customers, North American Channel Partners
Friday 17. October 2008 - New PartnersFirst(TM) program provides Independent Software Vendors with tools, resources needed to deliver highly-specialized print solutions to Zebra's customers and markets
Zebra Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ:ZBRA), a global leader in specialty printing and automatic identification solutions, announced today the introduction of its Technology Partners Program. The new program, piloted with a select group of Zebra’s Independent Software Vendors (ISVs), provides vendors with software development tools, market resources and access to Zebra’s vast network channel partners. The Technology Partners Program is part of Zebra’s award winning PartnersFirst(TM) channel program.
According to a 2008 study by Illuminas, an independent market research firm, ISVs that engaged in partnering relationships saw a significant impact to their bottom-line with incremental revenue increases by as much as 74%, significant growth to their customer base and increases in order sizes by nearly 78%.
“With the wide roll-out of this program, we are providing our technology partners with the opportunity to develop unique application-centric solutions and strong channel partnerships,” said Michelle Kabele, senior manager, channel programs and marketing, Zebra Technologies. “This collaboration should not only help our ISVs and channel partners grow their businesses but it should also continue to strengthen Zebra’s robust channel network.”
To participate in the Zebra Technology Partner Program, software vendors must derive at least 70% of their annual revenue from either software- or hardware-related sales that are complimentary to Zebra products. The program provides quarterly meetings with a Zebra manager to discuss current and potential projects in which Zebra products may be a part of the solution. It also includes training opportunities for the partner’s staff to help educate them on the many products available for integration with their solution offerings.
Through these collaborative business relationships, Zebra partners are finding that together they can deliver higher satisfaction to their shared and prospective customers. MiT Systems, Inc., a provider of software solutions for mobile technology applications, recently teamed with Miles Technologies, a leading provider of technology-based business solutions. Together, the partners deployed a route accounting system for a large dairy distributor that was looking for a way to track products at the case and item level.
“With Zebra’s Technology Partner Program we were able to tap into the expertise at Miles and help our customer select the right hardware and easily integrate the entire solution into their existing platform,” said Mark Maraj, vice president of sales and marketing, MiT Systems, Inc. “With MiT’s software and Zebra’s superior partner network, we were confident that we could deliver the highest quality solution to our customer.”
“Partnering with MiT to provide the software allowing us to deliver a total solution to our customer,” said Tom Beusch, president, Miles Technologies. “This has enabled Miles to expand our offerings and our customer base thereby bringing us new incremental opportunities.”
In addition to providing a network of partners, Zebra’s Technology Partner Program supports the technical and business needs of ISVs by providing valuable resources such as:
— Software Development Tools: An exclusive web site that includes tools for users to validate that their solutions are compatible with Zebra printers. These tools include both software and hardware information.
— Technical and Application Engineering Support: Zebra program support managers provide advanced engineering assistance on an as-needed basis.
— Marketing Support: Partners can take advantage of Zebra’s marketing tools.
— Referral Fees: Zebra recognizes and rewards its technology partners on incremental sales opportunities.